psychopsis

[oncidiumlover]

Are psychopsis about the same culture as a sharry baby? I really want a Psychopsis Mendenhall, I fell in love with the mottled leaves as soon as I saw the pic! They are so beautiful! Does anyone have one? How do you care for it?

[Danelady]

I just got my first psychopsis last month.
I will be interested in what is said here, too.
Mine doesn't seem to be too happy right now. The first bloom fell off after a couple of weeks and while there is a new bud ready it hasn't changed at all! I have mine with my Phals so it gets the same light. Not sure yet what I need to change!

[jay]

Psychopsis can receive general Oncidium care like your Onc. Sharry Baby. They are not a difficult plant.

Danelady - As long as the spike is till green, let it be. It can take a short while between flowers to see some action. If the health of the rest of the plant appears to be fine I wouldn't worry. If it continues to be a little slow, it might like a little more light. Phals are more of a low light plant (1000-1500 footcandles), where Psychopsis is more of a medium light plant (1800-2500 footcandles).

Hope this helps. They are really great plants to have in any collection.

[Danelady]

Thanks, jay.
The rest of the plant looks great (except for a leaf the cat broke!). It has a couple of new growths.
If I've learned anything with orchids it is patience!!!!!!

[oncidiumlover]

Thanks Jay. I'm so excited, I've got to order one now!

[LouisW]

Psychopsis are a fairly versatile plant and are therefore an easy one to grow. I think they can be grown successfully near Phalaenopsis light, but tend to do better a little bit brighter. I would say a little less light than most other Oncids. Psychopsis are one of the few plants I consider a must for all collections. They are very rewarding for the amount of effort you put in. A truly great plant.

[trinigirl]

I got my first one yesterday!

It is called Oncidium Mendenhall 'Hildos". I guess it is the same thing. I did not look at the tag when I bought, I was sure it was a psychopsis.

Today when I looked at the tag, is saw that it is an oncidium. I guess they are the same thing?

Anyway, from the raves on this chid I have been reading on OG, I felt like I had to have one. As LouisW above said, a must for all collections. The leaves are very pretty.

[delphiguy]

psychopsis a must have for collections? hmmm i've been wanting to have one since a
saw one in our local garden store. its just a bit expensive. the wife wont let me buy it.
but since you said that its a must have, then i may be able to talk her into buying it
hehe.

[LouisW]

Man, apparently we are pitching a good game for this plant!

Trinigirl, your info was once correct but is now outdated. Psychopsis was once included in oncidium but was given its own genus. You can relabel your plant Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos'.

[exasperatus2002]

I bought one as a seedling and enjoyed watching it grow up, its not blooming size yet. We all need to have to have atleast two Psychopsis, one standard and one alba (should be aurea in my opinion since its yellow not white).

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by exasperatus2002

I bought one as a seedling and enjoyed watching it grow up, its not blooming size yet. We all need to have to have atleast two Psychopsis, one standard and one alba (should be aurea in my opinion since its yellow not white).

I have one mature (2 spikes) from Jerry and 2 seedlings from e-bay. The Psy. papilio alba has always seemed wrongly named to me too. LOL Mine has two new growths just peeking out.

They really grow quite fast for orchids, my seedlings should be spiking anytime now.
AL

[janet_a]

Hildos is a very common plant--parkside sells them by the truckload. they seem to be pretty sturdy; mine's been blooming for a year. it's in s/h (the only way i can grow oncs), and i just wish it would pop out a new pbulb.

[trinigirl]

LouisW, thanks for the info. I will update tag.

Must have 2? Well, I can buy into that. I love the foliage, mine is not blooming yet although there is a spike.